Backtrack

Backtrack aren’t merely carrying the torches of their New York hardcore forbearers—they’re starting some fires of their own. An imposing force looming over the underground music scene for nearly a decade, Backtrack have cemented their name in hardcore lore one record, tour, and diatribe at a time. Four years following their combustible sophomore LP Lost In Life, Backtrack are bolting back into the spotlight with Bad To My World (November 17, Bridge Nine).

A handful of years may have passed since Backtrack’s last offering, but the five-piece sounds more indignant than ever. Written over the course of three years, Bad To My World spawned 10 tracks flying in the face of any and all barriers—physical, mental, thematic, and beyond. Informed by the sounds of what enticed each member into Hardcore music in the first place, Bad To My World clamors with youthful discontent while commenting on fissures plaguing the hardcore community and the world at large. Determined to dodge repetition, the record seethes with the tough-as-nails posture of Killing Time and Agnostic Front while snaking through glimmers of alternative and crossover.

Past social commentary and scene skirmishes, Bad To My World delves into the fluxing dynamics gnawing at Backtrack as a band and as a clique. New recruit Steven DiGenio behind the kit and Danny Smith helming on bass, Backtrack has settled into its most formidable lineup yet—progress that can be seen and heard. Nick Jett (Terror), who stoked a radically collaborative approach in the studio, once again producing while Dean Baltulonis (Madball, No Warning) manned the boards at Wild Arctic. Denoting the most cooperative phase of the band’s existence, there’s a piece of everyone invested in Bad To My World, and it shows in both volume and composition.

The return of Backtrack doesn’t end at an album, though—the band will also release a companion 7” flexi-disk and zine. Featuring contributions from Sam Octigan of Iron Mind, graphic designer Matt Worthey, UK-based tattoo artist Simon Erl, visual artist Doug Aldrich, and many more, the zine showcases the myriad talents comprising the Backtrack universe.

Backtrack have rounded out a winning year on the Life & Death Tour, a brainchild of Backtrack vocalist James Vitalo. Rallying together bands known to be road shy, the tour mobilizes the most eclectic and potent voices in hardcore. After a successful fourth year spent traveling the country, Vitalo and his comrades have their sights set on a bright future for Backtrack and beyond. Whether it be worldly discontent or personal triumph, Backtrack will never be short for material—or passion.